Fire Damage Prevention For Your Business
As a business owner, you take steps everyday to protect your team, customers, inventory and facility. And a fire can literally burn it down to the ground. According to research by the Department of Homeland Security, It can take just 30 seconds for a small flame to turn into a major blaze. Protecting your business from an emergency will save you thousands of dollars in fire damage and loss.
Maximize Fire Suppression and Protection Systems
Start with the commercial standards (and legally mandated) systems. If your business has more risky processes, inventory or raw materials, upgrade to your industry’s best in class protections. The fire sprinkler, fire alarm, and emergency power systems should be then inspected and tested every year by a licensed contractor who will provide the property manager with a copy of the inspection report. The basics include…
- Fire extinguishers – Cooking fires are the leading cause of commercial building fires, making it essential to equip your kitchen with a fire extinguisher. Placing one strategically nearby empowers your staff to quickly tackle small flames before they escalate. Don't forget to train your team on its proper use—preparedness can make all the difference!
- Fire alarms – Maintenance is key. In fires in which the smoke alarms were present but did not operate, almost half had missing or disconnected batteries. Only 7% of the failures were due to hardwired power source problems, including disconnected smoke alarms, power outages, and power shut-offs.
- Commercial fire sprinkler system – A well-designed sprinkler system can effectively extinguish a dangerous fire before it escalates. According to the NFPA, there are no recorded incidents of a fire claiming more than two lives in a fully sprinkled building. Even just one or two sprinkler heads can manage to contain most fires, highlighting their crucial role in fire safety.
Careless Acts and Human Error
Cultivate a culture of safety. Encourage dialog and shared responsibility over common spaces. Expect employees to correct one another over safety violations. According to FEMA, 9.2% of commercial fires were unintentional results of careless acts:
- Accidentally leaving space heaters or other heat producing equipment on
- Carelessly discarded cigarette butts igniting fires
- Plugging too many things into the same extension cord
- Forgetting electric cooking appliances
- Using candles and lighted decorations
Enforce Rules For Smokers
Cigarettes pose a risk; the debris can ignite other materials and cause a commercial fires. While the number of smokers might be dropping at your work, they still pose a fire risk to commercial facilities. Ensure that smoking is prohibited in facilities and no closer than 25 feet from the property. Maintain proper receptacles for cigarette butts.
Install a Commercial Alarm System
Enhance your security by investing in an advanced alarm system designed to identify suspicious activity, especially during vulnerable evening hours. Illuminate your surroundings with effective lighting or install motion-activated lights outdoors to discourage potential intruders. Additionally, consider partnering with alarm monitoring services that provide 24/7 surveillance, ensuring your business remains safeguarded at all times.
Consider More Training
As a team leader, it is sometimes difficult to get the team members on board for fire safety. Bringing members of your organization together in the same room to receive knowledge and training from expert instructors can address specific one-the-job and workplace safety concerns. On-location training programs can be custom-designed to address your safety and educational requirements and establish a common language and information-base for your team. Externally designed training allows participants to learn in their own environment, putting codes into context and bringing them to life.
One option is the National Fire Protection Association ( NFPA). Many other leading businesses, institutions, and government agencies have benefited from in-person NFPA instruction that meets industry and facility specific objectives.
Fire Damage Cleanup in Prairieville
When your facility has suffered fire damage, get a professional repair team in now. Every day that you delay increases the amount of damage and decreases your productivity. Crossroads Property Rescue provides emergency property restoration and decontamination services to Prairieville and throughout the tri-state area.
Whether the issue is a fire, water, mold, biohazard, or any other property damaging event, Crossroads Property Rescue will provide respectful, compassionate service intent on minimizing loss and maximizing restoration of the client’s personal items.
